Los Angeles descended into violent confrontations June 8 as thousands of protesters clashed with National Guard troops and police outside federal immigration facilities, marking the third consecutive day of turmoil following President Trump’s unprecedented deployment of state militia without gubernatorial approval.
Downtown Battleground
The city’s federal detention center became ground zero for running battles between demonstrators and security forces. Protesters hurled rocks and fireworks at riot-gear-clad troops, who responded with rubber bullets, tear gas and baton charges. At least 60 arrests were made as crowds blocked the 101 Freeway and surrounded police vehicles, with authorities declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore condemned the “heinous violence” while criticizing the White House for bypassing normal command chains. “The federalization of our National Guard has created parallel command structures that complicate crisis response,” Moore stated at a press conference.
Political Firestorm
The deployment marks the first presidential override of state authority since Eisenhower sent troops to Little Rock in 1957. California Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the move as “political theater,” while former VP Kamala Harris called it a “dangerous escalation,” contrasting with Mayor Karen Bass’s condemnation of protester violence.
Renmin University professor Diao Daming notes the confrontation reflects deepening partisan divides: “As a Democratic stronghold and sanctuary city, Los Angeles embodies everything the Trump administration opposes on immigration. This is constitutional hardball with lasting consequences for federalism.”
West Coast Wave
Unrest spread across California as San Francisco police arrested 60 protesters and confiscated a firearm after demonstrations turned destructive. In New York, over 20 were detained during clashes near federal buildings. The protests respond to ICE raids targeting undocumented families – a flashpoint in the 2024 election cycle.
With Trump threatening to deploy active-duty military and constitutional scholars warning of norm erosion, the Los Angeles crisis has escalated from local protest to national inflection point over presidential power and immigration enforcement.
Related topics:
- The Whole City of Los Angeles Entered A Tactical Alert State, And The Police Shot At The Protesters
- Trump Ordered, “Liberate Los Angeles!” The Entire City of Los Angeles Has Entered a Tactical Alert State, And 2,000 National Guard Troops Have Been Deployed! White House Officials Warned the Governor of California.
- Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amid Escalating Immigration Clash
